(Mr. Obama's first time on the mound while in office happened at the 2009 All-Star Game.)

Conservatives complained when Mr. Obama took the time to fill out a March Madness bracket and film a related segment for ESPN, yet a headline on a Fox News website questioned whether the president was chickening out of lacing up and taking to the mound.

The Nationals announced that Thursday's ceremonial first pitch against the Atlanta Braves will actually be five pitches thrown simultaneously by the five flag officers representing each branch of the military.

Former President George W. Bush, accompanied by former President George H.W. Bush, threw out the ceremonial first pitch for Game 4 of the World Series last fall in Texas. The San Francisco Giants shut out the Texas Rangers 4-0 that night and went on the win the series the following night.